Day Trip to Santa Cruz
Day Trip to Santa Cruz
Alyssa Patel
Santa Cruz is known as a hotspot for surfers looking to catch world-renowned waves and as a college town, home to UC Santa Cruz. This guide will show you the lesser-known but equally great parts of Santa Cruz, filled with great food, cocktails, and outdoor activities!
Updated ago
Save
Share
Breakfast
The Walnut Avenue Cafe
@alyssapatel
Walnut Avenue is a staple for locals and tourists alike! This spot is guaranteed to be busy on the weekends, but once you put your name down, you can certainly spend time strolling through downtown while you wait. Menu highlights include the chilaquiles, french toast, and homefries!
Add to
Details
Verve Coffee Roasters
@alyssapatel
Come to Verve for excellent espresso and breakfast bites! Highly recommend the brioche breakfast sandwich and the whiskey latte!
Add to
Details
Avenue Cafe
@alyssapatel
Avenue Cafe is a family-run business with only a handful of tables inside. They specialize in classic Mexican breakfast dishes, and my favorite items include their Huevos Rancheros or Breakfast Burrito!
Add to
Details
Mad Yolks
@alyssapatel
New to downtown, Mad Yolks is the Santa Cruz take on a a breakfast sandwich with a Hawaiian/Japanese twist! Come for the B.A.E sandwich, but stay for the dirty tots. If you love matcha, they have a great selection of drinks.
Add to
Details
Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria
@alyssapatel
Step into Gayle's and you won't be disappointed no matter what you're craving. They have a huge assortment of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items in addition to a cold deli case and bakery case. Every item here is made using family recipes and Gayle's is packed 7-days a week for good reason.
Add to
Details
Activities
West Cliff Drive
@alyssapatel
West Cliff Drive is a scenic road that takes you along the Santa Cruz coast. There is a well developed walking path right along the coastline and it ends at the famous Santa Cruz lighthouse. If you have a dog, there are plenty of areas for your pet to run around. Parking is relatively easy to find in any of the surrounding neighborhood streets.
Add to
Details
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
@alyssapatel
If you're feeling nostalgic, the Boardwalk is the place to go. You can easily spend a day wandering around, going on rides, and eating classic amusement park foods. All concessions are family-owned, and these rides are some of the best. Check the website before coming, as operations slow down in the off-season.
Add to
Details
Capitola Village
@alyssapatel
Capitola Village is the quieter sister to Main Beach, but equally as impressive. Come spend an afternoon wandering around the local shops and checking out the many eateries and coffee shops!
Add to
Details
Dinner & Cocktails
Venus Spirits Cocktails & Kitchen | Westside
@alyssapatel
Venus Spirits started out as a small batch distillery in Santa Cruz and later developed into a full service kitchen + bar. Best know for their Gin, come for incredible cocktails and great small plates.
Add to
Details
Manuel's Mexican Restaurant
@alyssapatel
Local favorite Manuels, is a solid spot for great Mexican food and strong margaritas! There enchiladas are some of the best I've had, but the best thing on their menu is the homemade salsa. If you end up liking it as much as I do, they sell bottles of salsa to take home!
Add to
Details
Bantam
@alyssapatel
Bantam is the place to come if you're looking for excellent pizza, small plates, and cocktails. The menu is seasonal, but everything there is guaranteed to be a hit. They don't take reservations, so I recommend coming as early as possible to get a table!
Add to
Details
The Apéro Club
@alyssapatel
Add to
Details
BAD ANIMAL
@alyssapatel
One of the most unique spots in this guide, Bad Animal is a bookstore, thai restaurant, and natural wine bar all in one!
Add to
Details
* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alyssa Patel
Welcome! My name is Alyssa and travel is something that I have been passionate about for as long as I can remember! I am a foodie at heart and I love to curate trips around food. I think travel should be a luxurious experience (while still remaining budget-friendly!) and to me that means finding the best cultural excursions, unique food experiences, and boutique accommodations.
Send A Tip
Support Alyssa Patel’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Explore related destinations
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Alyssa Patel 2024 • Help • Privacy • Terms • Copyright • Become a Seller • Seller Academy • About • Careers • Blog • Explore Places